GOLF: The Woodlands’ Lavalle signs with North Texas

JP Lavalle of The Woodlands hits off the 14th tee box during the final round of the District 12-6A golf tournament at High Meadow Ranch, Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Magnolia.

JP Lavalle of The Woodlands hits off the 14th tee box during the final round of the District 12-6A golf tournament at High Meadow Ranch, Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Magnolia.

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

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JP Lavalle of The Woodlands hits off the 14th tee box during the final round of the District 12-6A golf tournament at High Meadow Ranch, Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Magnolia.

JP Lavalle of The Woodlands hits off the 14th tee box during the final round of the District 12-6A golf tournament at High Meadow Ranch, Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Magnolia.

Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

GOLF: The Woodlands’ Lavalle signs with North Texas

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The Woodlands senior JP Lavalle saw his aspirations of playing collegiate golf come to fruition on Tuesday afternoon as he signed his letter of intent with the University of North Texas.

Lavalle, who was the District 12-6A champion this spring, has seen plenty of success during his high school career, both with the Highlanders team and individually.

Now he has the opportunity to prove himself all over again, joining the Mean Green program in Denton, Texas, competing at the NCAA Division I level.

“It means a lot, really,” Lavalle said. “Ever since I was little, I think one of my main goals was to play at the college level, even more than to play professional, I guess since I like playing and being with a team. So getting to experience that for four more years is great. My time here at The Woodlands and with my team has been great, and I can’t wait to keep that going at the college level.”

Lavalle said he plans to study business at North Texas and will play for a program that has won 30 conference titles, four national championships and 83 tournament titles in all. The Mean Green has advanced to six NCAA regional tournaments over the past seven years under current head coach Brad Stracke.

“The coach there, he was one of the first coaches to ever really look at me, and that means a lot,” Lavalle said. “The coach up there is great. He obviously sees a lot of potential in me and sees a lot of potential in his program. The golf courses they play and the tournaments they play at are just great, it’s next level. I’m very excited to compete there and play there and practice there, everything about the program I like a lot.”

While competing at the college level will be a new challenge for Lavalle, he is excited for the opportunity to improve his game and keep learning.

“Of course it’s going to be a lot harder, and I’m going to have to put in a lot more work, but I’m willing to do it,” he said. “I’m excited to prove to myself and to other players that I’m good, and I can compete with any other schools, any other players.”

After spending his high school years at The Woodlands Lavalle said he owes a lot to the people who have surrounded him with support, including his teammates and coaches.

“Looking back at it, it’s just great,” he said. “I wouldn’t change it for anything, wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I’ve made so many memories, made so many great friends here. A lot of what I’ve accomplished is thanks to people I have met in The Woodlands and the team there.”